Peer supporters among older persons: Turning left or turning right?

Abstract

Objective. Peer support is rarely implemented in traditional mental health services for older persons with lived experience of depression. This qualitative study aims to examine the roles and experiences of older persons who collaborate with social workers to provide voluntary peer support in an innovative community-based pilot project for holistic depression care. Method. Grounded theory was adopted for the qualitative inquiry. Data were collected through five focus group, with 27 peer supporters from eight service sites participated. Thematic analysis was applied. Results. Findings indicated that role confusion, lack of autonomy and psychological struggles were salient in their experiences. Despite these, peer supporters attained personal growth and contentment, positive changes in family interactions, and enriched social connection during their services. They perceived rendering peer support as meaningful engagement and some aspired to have higher level of involvement in the development. Conclusion. Implementing the peer support model in depression care for older persons is new to mental health services. The mixed findings reveal the complexity of the notion that requires careful attention to role definition and partnership. Training, mentoring, and peer network are needed to further develop the capacity of peer supporters and social workers towards more autonomous peer support and to safeguard the psychological wellbeing of peer supporters.